Analog at Pearl Audio
Seven houses, each with its own idea of how a record should be spun, listed from least to most expensive. Every table we sell is set up by hand on our bench before it leaves, and again in your home. If you are not sure where to start, call: we will ask what you listen to and what the rest of the system is, and point you at two or three.
Southend-on-Sea, England
Rega builds a turntable the way an engineer would if nobody were watching: as light and rigid as possible, with a low-mass plinth, a precise bearing and an arm made in the same building. Planar 1 to Planar 3 are the tables we recommend most often to people starting out; the Planar 6, 8 and 10 and the Naia carry the same ideas to a level that embarrasses far dearer decks. Quick, tuneful and unfussy to live with.
Osaka, Japan
Direct drive done properly. Technics' coreless motor spins the platter with no belt and no cogging, so pitch is rock steady and the deck starts and stops on a dime. The SL-1500C and the GR2 pair are the easy way in, the 1200G and 1210G add the heavier platter and twin-rotor motor, and the SL-1000RE and SP-10RE are reference-grade machines built to last decades.
Erlangen, Germany
Precision engineering in aluminium, Panzerholz and acrylic, with magnetic bearings and the tangential arms that are Clearaudio's signature. The Concept and Compass are complete, ready-to-play tables; the Performance, Ovation and Innovation decks are modular and upgradeable; the Reference Jubilee, Master Innovation and Statement are among the most elaborate turntables made anywhere.
Compass Turntable
$2,000
Signature "Satisfy" Turntable
From $3,500
Signature Turntable
From $5,000
Performance DC AiR Wood Turntable
$5,900
Performance DC Air Turntable
$8,000
Ovation Turntable
From $11,000
Innovation Compact Wood Turntable
$11,000
Innovation Wood Turntable
From $16,000
Master Innovation Wood Turntable
$45,000
Reference Jubilee Turntable
$45,000
Statement V2 Turntable
$275,000
Glasgow, Scotland
The Sondek LP12 has been in production since 1972 and every one can be brought to current specification. Majik, Selekt and Klimax are the three factory specifications, and between them lies every upgrade Linn has released; Pearl builds, sets up and upgrades LP12s on our own bench. Build your own with the LP12 builder.
Yokohama, Japan
Luxman's belt-drive tables are built like its amplifiers: heavy, calm and beautifully finished, with a quiet brushless motor, a substantial platter and a Jelco-derived arm that suits a wide range of cartridges. The PD-151 Mk II is the sensible flagship for most systems; the PD-191A is the statement.
Binghamton, New York
McIntosh turntables share the house look, with the illuminated platter, the glass front and the black-and-silver chassis, and come fitted with a Sumiko cartridge and set up at the factory. The MTI100 includes a phono stage, a tube preamplifier and an amplifier, so it needs only loudspeakers; the MT5 and MT10 are the pure tables.
Herford, Germany
The G 2000 R is T+A's single turntable: a belt-drive deck with a DSP-controlled motor, an aluminium platter and a matching arm, built to the standard of the R Series electronics it is designed to sit beside.
Hear it for yourself
Tell us what you would like to hear and we will have it set up and warmed up when you arrive. Bring a playlist and take your time.
